Apparatus for forming hot melt adhesives into a readily packageable form

ABSTRACT

An improved method and apparatus for handling of materials having characteristics such that they are normally solid at room ambient temperatures and are prepared and used at elevated temperatures to transfer the form of the material to a liquid. The improved method and apparatus provides for handling of the material in liquid form and extruding it as a stream or continuous flow, cooling the outer surface of the same to solidify it and severing the stream of material with the hardened exterior and liquid interior such that the individual segments severed therefrom seal themselves and form individual pillow-like segments which can be then further cooled to a hardened state and readily handled, packaged, shipped and used.

United States Patent 1 1 Franke 1 1 Mar. 27, 1973 541 APPARATUS FOR FORMING HOT 2,386,411 10 1945 Taylor ..18/8 F MELT ADHESIVES INT A EAD LY 2,396,752 3/1946 Roddy ..264/143 x PACKAGEABLE O M 2,622,273 12/1952 Detwiler .1 ....18/1 E X 2,919,464 1/1960 Merlon ct al... ..18/8 F Inventor: Willard Franke, u Minn- 2,958,171 11/1960 Deckers ..53 140 3,334,167 8/1967 Kenne ...18/12 TT X [73] Full" Company Paul 3,497,120 2 1970 Fischei et al ..18/2 J x Minn. [22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1970 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-Michael 0. Sutton [2H Appl' 85158 Attorney-Merchant & Gould Related U.S. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. Nov 824,244, May 13,

l969,abandoned. An improved method and apparatus for handling of materials having characteristics such that they are nor- [52] U.S.Cl. ..425/71,425/308,264/148, mally solid at room ambient temperatures and are 5 0 prepared and used at elevated temperatures to [Sl] Int. Cl. ..B29C 25/00, B29d 7/20 transfer the form of the material to a liq id Th i 1 Field of Search 1 1 l proved method and apparatus provides for handling of 3 3 3 Q 8 Q 3 7 12 12 the material in liquid form and extruding it as a stream 12 12 12 264/143, 148, or continuous flow, cooling the outer surface of the 149, 150, 151; 53/140; 425/67, 71, 29 303 same to solidify it and severing the stream of material with the hardened exterior and liquid interior such [56] References Cited that the individual segments severed therefrom seal themselves and form individual pillow-like segments UNlTED STATES PATENTS which can be then further cooled to a hardened state 1,361,346 12/1920 Nichol ....18/12 TS UX and readily handled, packaged, shipped and used. -1 ,740,029 12/1929 Moomy 1 ..18/12 TT X 1,944,464 1/1934 Richardson ..18/12 TS X 26 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR FORMING HOT MELT ADIIESIVES INTO A READILY PACKAGEABLE FORM This application is a continuation-in-part application of may co-pending application, Ser. No. 824,244, filed May 13, 1969, and now abandoned.

My invention relates to an apparatus and method for packaging materials normally solid at room ambient temperature and in particular to a machine and method for simplifying the packaging of hot melt adhesives or equivalent material in readily packageable form.

At the present time, the packaging of hot melt adhe sives and materials of this type require extensive machinery and handling and normally require placing the material in heated form into containers, large or small, cooling the same, and handling of the containers for a special cooling operation followed by either packaging or further refinement into a form in which it could be packaged and shipped to a user. Materials of this type are products which are normally solid at normal atmospheric temperature and become liquid in a range from 125 to approximately 450 F. In the manufacturing of this material, which comes from the manu' facturing process in liquid form and requires the intermediate stage of packaging and cooling with special equipment, the further disadvantage of exposure to gases and hot liquids is also present.

In the improved method and apparatus for packaging materials of this type, such as hot melt adhesives, the material is taken in liquid form and supplied to an improved machine which extrudes or forces the material through an orifice or restriction to form a stream which is emersed in a cooling medium, such as water, so that the exterior or exposed surface of the stream hardens, providing a generally tubular form of material which is cut into predetermined length segments in the presence of the cooling medium and under conditions such that the individual segments with the solid exterior and liquid interior seal themselves into pillow-like packages which are further immersed in the cooling medium until sufficiently solidified to be removed therefrom wherein final cooling and packaging in bulk form permits a simplified product which is readily usable by a consumer. In the improved apparatus for performing the method, a simplified structure is provided which will receive the material in liquid form and pump it through the restriction or orifice into a container of the cooling medium, such as water, which is recirculated to be maintained at a particular temperature. The stream of material as it is emersed in the cooling medium hardens on the surface and is guided in a trough-like guide structure toward a rotating cutter which severs or pinches off the stream into predetermined lengths con tinuously and at a high rate to enable handling of a large volume of the material with the individual segments being cooled and transported for further drying in bulk form as a plurality of individual segments each forming their own package. Subsequent handling merely requires placing a sufficient number of such segments in shipping packages and weighing the same. This requires no special packaging as far as the particular carton is concerned and the method and apparatus provides a readily usable form of the material for the consumer. The improved forming machine permits the pinching or severing of segments with a rotary knife wherein the individual segments are passed between the cutter and the supporting roller without destroying or altering the form of the segment or the seal therein.

An alternate embodiment of the machine includes provisions for handling the segments, that is removing them from the bath of cooling medium, drying the same and propelling or moving the segments to a place of packaging.

Therefore, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved method of packaging a material, such as a hot melt adhesive.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved and simplified apparatus for packaging a hot melt adhesive.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hot melt adhesive or similar material in readily packaged form wherein the material itself forms its own package such that it may be moved and handled in bulk form.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an apparatus of this type a simplified cooling and severing mechanism which will maintain the shape of the segments and cool the same such that they may be readily handled without destroying the form or permitting leakage therefrom. I

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of this type which includes forming a plurality of segments from a plurality of streams of the hot melt adhesive severing the streams to form the segments, cooling and drying the segments and moving the same to a place of packaging.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the steps employed in handling material, such as a hot melt adhesive, from the manufacturing or mixing stage through the packaging stage to the ultimate shipping stage as presently used compared with the steps required in the new method or process for the same under the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus to perform the improved method of packaging a hot melt adhesive;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus to perform the new method of packaging the hot melt adhesive;

FIG. Sis a plan view of a segment or block of the hot melt adhesive in packaged form;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the segment of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an end elevation view of the segment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the improved apparatus for packaging hot melt adhesive;

FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the ap paratus of FIG. 9 taken along the lines l0l0 therein.

My improved method and apparatus for packaging materials is shown herein as particularly adaptable to materials, such as hot melt adhesives. Such materials are normally set up and harden at temperatures below a minimum of l25 F. These are resinous type adhesivesformed of polyesters or polyamides and, depending upon the consistency, solidification will take place between 125 and 450 F. The process, however, is equally applicable to animal glue type adhesives. Above these temperatures, and in the preparation and application form, the materials become liquid or fluid. In FIG. I, l have shown in block form the present method in steps of the handling such materials compared with the proposed-method in steps of the present invention. Thus at 10, a mixing vat or apparatus representing the manufacturing or mixing process for such materials is shown with the material at this stage being at an elevated temperature or above solidification temperature necessary for the preparation of the same. Under the present method of handling such materials, the material is packaged in a variety of forms varying from chunk, to rain gutter, cake, granulated, block shape and other forms, each of which requires separate packaging and processing from the mixed finished and fluid state. Thus, as shown generally at 12, the present method of handling such materials requires the formation of boxes or preparation of suitable containers and the placing of such containers at the discharge point from the mixing apparatus so that the suitable containers may be filled in sequence one at a time. At this point, the filled containers are moved in open form with the material in fluid state and giving off fumes to a point where the containers with the fluid therein are cooled. At this point and depending upon the desired ultimate product shape, the material or adhesive in solid form is removed from the containers and packaged in shipping cartons or drums for ultimate shipment to a consumer. Where such products are to be in granular form, the bulk blocks are further refined by grinding before packaging, as indicated in FIG. 1.

Under the improved method, as indicated at 13, the material in fluid form is directed to the apparatus performing the method which provides an arrangement wherein the material forms its own seal or packaging and is removed in bulk form through suitable conveying apparatus to a point where the same is cooled and dried to provide the final solidification of the packaged material. At this point it may be weighed and packaged into any suitable shipping carton and shipped or otherwise delivered to a consumer. The improved product, as will be hereinafter identified, is a pillow-like form of the material without any coating or casing around the same except for the actual shipping container wherein a given quantity by weight of such segments or pillowlike blocks are contained within a container. This permits the ultimate consumer to have the material or ad hesive in easily handled form so that it may be readily used in its application as an adhesive.

My invention is particularly applicable to thermoplastic synthetic resins with additives, such as resin further increasing the manufacture and shipping costs. The improved method eliminates a filling operation together with associate waste and increases the rate of production while reducing packaging costs.

In FIG. 2, anapparatus for performing this improved method is shown. This apparatus includes a cooling tank 20 which would be normally positioned adjacent or in near relationship to the production machinery for making the adhesives or hot melts. The packaging apparatus would be fed by appropriate pipe 30 wherein the material would flow in liquid form from the production apparatus or mixer, indicated previously at 10. Connected to the inlet pipe 30 of the packaging machine is a pump 32 driven by an appropriate motor 34 and having associated therewith a control valve 35 with a suitable heater 36 positioned adjacent the valve to maintain the level of the temperature of the fluid into the packaging machinery. The outlet pipe of the valve, indicated at 40, includes a stream forming orifice or restriction 44 which would be located adjacent thereto and in a position to direct a stream 45 of the hot melt adhesive in liquid form into the cooling tank, indicated generally at 20. The cooling tank contains a cooling medium, indicated generally at 50, which is normally recirculated chilled water. As shown schematically in FIG. 3, an inlet pipe 52 has associated therewith a circulating pump 54 which directs water into the container at one extremity with the water being removed and recirculated through a pipe, indicated at 60, and to a cooling chamber 64, having associated therewith a suitable heat exchanger, such as a refrigeration unit, for the purpose of maintaining water tem perature at a predetermined level during the packaging process. The pump 32 and valve 35 control the flow of the hot melt adhesive into the cooling tank and direct such flow in a continuous stream form such that when the stream comes in contact with the cooling medium, such as the chilled water, the outer surface of the stream has its temperature rapidly changed to solidify the same forming a sealing coating around the stream The stream of material thus becomes a semi-hard extrusion generally cylindrical in form and capable of being directed toward an appropriate cutting device, to be hereinafter identified. A trough or other guide structure, such as is indicated at and positioned in an inclined attitude within the container 20, guides the stream'45 to the cutting knives, indicated generally at and positioned on a rotary drum located adjacent the extremity of the trough 70. Cooperating with the drum 80 having the knives 75 thereon, is a suitable cushion drum with knife engaging and protruding cushion surfaces thereon which cooperate with the knife extremity of the blade 75 to'perform the severing operation on the stream of adhesive. As will be seen in FIG. I, the cutting device is located beneath the surface of the cooling medium within the tank. The drum 80 carrying the knives 75 is driven through a suitable chain or drive structure 92 connected to a driving motor 94 located on the container 20 with a suitable control panel 95 for controlling the operation of the same. This drive structure is also connected to the cushioning drum 85, through a secondary set of chains and sprockets 96 which are enclosed at 97, with the drums being suitably journaled in the tank for counter rotation therein. Movements of the drums 80 and 85 are synchronized through the drive structure so that the knife blades 75 cooperate with the cushioning surfaces, such as a compressible plastic material, on the cushioning drum enabling the knife blades to press into the cushioning material for severing of the solidifying stream of material without dulling the knife surfaces. Normally, the drums 85 and 80 are made of a metallic material and the knife blades, as indicated at 75 as well as the cushions 90, are distributed about the surface of the respective drums in equal spacing and number, with the blades being of such length that the actual surfaces of the drums will be spaced apart allowing passage of the severed segments 98 of the stream of solidifying adhesive or material to pass between the same. The actual cutting of the stream into segments 98 takes place initially as a pinching action since the stream with its semi-hard exterior surface which is flexible encloses a molten or liquid center and as the knife blades engage the cushioning surface, the outer solidified casing is pinched together and severed. This action seals the remaining portion of the stream in liquid form within the container formed by each of the segments. The individual segments are passed between the drums and suitable means are employed for maintaining the severed segments or pillows emersed in the cooling medium to continuing the cooling and hence hardening of the surface such that the individual segments will not break and discharge the liquid portion remaining in the center of the same. In FIGS. 2 and 3, this circulation means includes a plurality ofjet sprays 100 positioned above the tank which are supplied from the pump 54 through a pipe 102 connected to inlet pipe 52, which sprays cause circulation of the water in the container and depression of the segments 98 of hot melt adhesive in semi-liquid form with the solidified exterior surface. The density of the adhesive is such that the same is less than the cooling medium and will normally float to the surface. The circulating water will direct the cooling segments toward one end of the container where they are removed by a suitable wheeled type paddle structure 120 which lifts the segments onto an appropriate belt type conveying structure 123 to be moved away from the container 20 and to a point of further cooling and drying, as indicated in the block diagram of FIG. I.

The individual segments in severed form are shown in plan, elevation and end views in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 in the drawings which, when severed, will have a tough sealed extremity or surface and be molten and liquid on the interior and which when allowed to cool will harden throughout to provide a self-package segment of the adhesive which is readily handled and shipped and used. It is generally of a pillow-like form of approximately 3 to 3% inches in length and one'half to threefourths inch in diameter. The physical dimensions of the same can be controlled by the size of the orifice and pump together with the speed of operation of the cutting cylinder and the number of knives thereon.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate version of the cutting portion of the apparatus in which the cushion cylinder is a generally cylindrical structure without the cushion pads for the knives. Thus in FIG. 4, the cylinder 130 is equivalent to the cushion drum 85 without the cushion pads 90 thereon and the entire peripheral surface of the same is made of a compressible material, as at 131, to

cooperate with the knife edge surface of the cutting knives to pinch off the various segments of the stream of the adhesive in envelope or semi-hardened form without requirement of the synchronization of the knives with the cushion pads. In this embodiment, the cooling medium, in addition to being directed to the container 20, is also specifically circulated through the trough 70 to provide a surface of water contacting the stream of material in fluid form as it is pumped from the pump 32 and valve 35 to initially harden the surface of the same forming the tubular stream of material directed down the trough 70 and toward the cutting structure. In this embodiment, the knife drum with the knives 75 thereon will take the same form and with the knives being of such length to provide sufficient clearance between the surface of the cushion drum and the knife edge to allow for passage of the severed segments thereon. The pinching action of the knives bearing against the cushion drum may slightly alter the form of the individual segments as disclosed in FIGS. 5-7, but the actual pinching and severing of the hardened surface of the stream will similarly effect the seal at each end of the segment as it is severed and allow the portions that are severed to pass between the cutting drum and the severing drum. An alternate version of cooling of the segments is shown in the pair of transporting and circulating drums, indicated generally at and 150. These drums have paddles and thereon which direct the segments floating free from the cutting drum and cushion drum in a path to submerse the same in the cooling medium and to elevate the same to the surface where it can be transferred to the lifting drum 120 and conveying apparatus 123 for bulk handling in the cooling and ultimate storage of the segments.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 discloses a refined and more complete version of the apparatus of the before-mentioned embodiment. As indicated in these figures, the source of hot melt adhesive from the mixing chamber is directed from a remote location through an insulated conduit or pipe which may or may not include a pump and heater to the discharge orifice end of the same wherein a pair of control valves 172, 173 are located to deflne the flow through the pipe or conduit into two separate streams. Although I have shown apparatus for handling only two streams of liquid hot melt adhesive, it will be understood that the apparatus may be designed to handle a plurality of streams. The size of the streams after cutting defines separate discrete segments of varying shapes and mass. The discharge orifice extremity of the valves, indicated at 174, are directed into a trough-like structure 175 having a pair of curved surfaces 176, 177 generally semi-circular in cross section into which the separate streams of liquid hot melt adhesive are directed. These streams are cooled and solidified by means of chilled water directed thereon from an overhead spray unit 180 having a plurality of spray jets 182 positioned therein. The partially solidified streams with a hardened outer surface will be directed through the extent of the trough and into a box-like cutter housing positioned at the extremity of the same. This boxlike structure mounts the cutting and cushion wheels which will best be seen in FIGS. 10 at 192, 194 respectively. These are journaled on shafts 195 and driven from sprockets 196, 197 mounted outside the confines of the box-like structure and connected together through a suitable belt 198. As indicated in FIGS. 8 and 9, an overhead motor 200 mounted in a frame 202 is connected by means of a chain drive 204 to a pulley 206 attached at the opposite end of the upper shaft mounting the cutting roller or drum 192 for the purpose ofdriving the same. The belt 198 threads over the pulleys 196, 197 at the opposite side of the case and over a tension pulley 203 to drive the cushion roller 194 in synchronism with the cutting roller. This arrangement of parts is similar to the structure disclosed in H0. 4 with knives 205 on the cutter drum 192 severing the stream into discrete segments as they engage the cushion portion 206 on the cushion roller 194. The box-like structure 190 has a cooling water inlet 210 to provide for cool water flow from a chiller 220 which is directed through a pipe 212 with a valve 214 therein to control the flow therethrough. The outlet of the chiller 220 also mounts a second outlet pipe 215 with a valve 218 therein which is connected to the pipe 180 for the discharge jets or nozzle 182 directing chilled water spray into the trough 175 and onto the liquid stream to solidify the same. The water in the trough spills into the cutter housing structure 190 housing the cutter wheels such that the water level is above the area in which the cutter wheels sever the streams. The two streams will be directed downwardly between the cutting and cushion wheels and are simultaneously severed as the wheels are rotated. The opposite side of the box-like structure is open near the upper extremity of the same to communicate with an upper tray 240 of the bath of cooling medium which in this embodiment is formed by a plurality of vertically aligned tray members 240, 241 and 242 with water and the severed segments flowing through and between the same, as will be hereinafter noted. These are mounted in angle iron frames 248, 249 and the upper tray-like member has a ramp section 250 at the outer extremity of the same with the end beyond the ramp being open such that water and segments may spill over the end of the same and into the intermediate tray section 241 below the same which is longer than tray section 240 such that it projects beyond the end of the same to receive the water and segments. Similarly the tray-like member 241 has a ramp 252 at the extremity of the same with the tray being open beyond the end of the same to permit water and segments to fall to the lower tray 242. The lower tray-like member has a sump section 260 at the end of the same in direct communication therewith and suitable splash plates 262 are attached to the ends of the tray-like members 241, 242 receiving water and segment flow from the tray positioned above the same.

A paddle wheel or drum 280 with paddles 283 thereon is journaled on an upstanding frame portion 282 connected to the upper frame or tray member 240 and is driven by means of a belt 285 connected to pulleys 286, 287 respectively which are mounted on the shaft mounting the upper cutting roller 192 and the paddle wheel or drum 280 respectively. Thus the paddle wheel with the paddles thereon rotate to move the segments and water through the tray-like members 240, 241 and 242 to provide an elongated cooling area for the purpose of solidifying the hot melt in the segments such that when they are discharged into the sump portion 260 they are solid and substantially cooled. The sump portion 260 of the bath cooling medium has an outlet pipe 290 connected thereto leading to a pump 295 which draws water through the tray members and sump section with the outlet of the pump,

as indicated by the pipe 296, being directed into the inlet of the chiller 220. A suitable inlet pipe 298 with the valve 299 therein permits interconnection of an outside fluid source to the circulating line to add water to the system. The tray-like members provide an elongated cooling bath by means of which the segments may be immersed and directed through a cooled water for the purpose of solidifying the same after severing. The pumping action of the pump 295 in this recirculating system directs the water flow therethrough and the rotation of the paddle wheel 280 with operation of the motor 200 simultaneously with the rotation of the cutting and cushion wheels will aid in the movement of the segments therethrough.

Positioned in the sump 260 of the tray member 242 or the bath cooling medium is a vertical conveyor 300 having a pair of drive and guide pulleys 301, 302, respectively, overwhich a pair of guide chains 304 are mounted. The guide chains mount therebetween a plurality of screen-like buckets 305 which are open at one extremity. The buckets are generally triangular in cross section and are distributed between the chains throughout the extent of the same such that they dip into the water in the sump and scoop up the segments of the glue elevating the same as the pulleys and hence the chains are rotated to lift the segments out of the water and direct them into a discharge frame 320 of the conveyor. The discharge frame includes a triangular shaped screen 322 which receives the segments as buckets are inverted at the top of the conveyor. A suitable drive motor 325 rotates the drive pulley 301 for continuous rotation of the buckets to elevate the segments out of the bath of cooling medium or the sump portion 260 thereof and into the discharge outlet or frame 320 of the conveyor. The outlet portion of the frame is generally in the form of a pyramid with the lower inclined surface 328 adapted to receive moisture or water dripping through the screen from the segments to return the same to the sump. The outlet or apex of this pyramidal shaped frame is in communication with a discharge pipe 330 ofa blower 335 driven by a motor 340. Segments sliding down the screen are dropped into the discharge pipe 320 and directed .by the air movement therein through the extent of the pipe to the discharge extremity 350 of the same, the latterhaving a sliding plate-like valve member 352 positioned in the end of the same. The length of the pipe may vary but normally will be of such extent as to direct the flow of segments to a remote point wherein they may be boxed or packaged in shipping containers as they are discharged from the end of the pipe. Movement of the air affects conveying action of the segments to the packaging location and at the same time affects a further drying of the surface of the segments removing the moisture therefrom such that as they are discharged into boxes they will be dry and suitable for packaging. The slide gate valve 352 in the end of the same permits discharge of the segments into boxes only when boxes are in position beneath the same in the packaging area.

Although we have shown a blower type conveyor, a combination of conventional conveying apparatus together with the application of air thereto for drying purposes may be readily employed for conveying segments from the machine to the packaging and shipment areas.

In the operation of this embodiment of the machine, hot melt adhesive is directed from the mixing chamber 160 through the discharge pipe thereof and to the valve controlled orifices defining the streams of liquid material. In the present embodiment a plurality or pair of streams are created which are directed down the trough-like structure 175 wherein the surface of the same is solidified by the spraying of chilled water thereon. The chilled water and the streams leave the end of the trough structure 175 and are discharged into the cutter box structure 190 housing the cutting wheels with the streams being directed between the knives of the cutting drum 191 and the cushion drum 194 such that severing of the same takes place sealing the ends of the pillow-like segments as in the before-mentioned embodiment. The two streams are simultaneously cut and the pillow-like segments which are immersed in the chilled water within the box-like structure 195 flow into the upper tray of the bath of cooling medium to be moved with the water by means of rotation of the paddle wheel 280 down the extent of the tray-like structure and from the upper to the intermediate and lower tray members providing an elongated area of cooling to solidify the molten adhesive within the pillows. As the segments reach the sump portion 160 they are raised by the conveyor 300 into the discharge end of the conveyor wherein they are deposited on the screen which is inclined such that the segments move by gravity down the stream and into the discharge pipe 330 of the blower to be moved to a point of packaging. The air in moving the segments also affects the drying of the surface of the pillows or segments such that as they are discharged from the discharge pipe they may be packaged in boxes or other suitable containers for shipment. This improved machine provides a continuous and automatic apparatus for handling the hot melt adhesive from the mixing chamber to the shipment point in a single continuous operation eliminating any handling or manual movement of the same.

In the improved method and apparatus of packaging materials, such as the hot melt adhesive, the improvement resides in handling of the adhesive in a fluid or liquid form such that the adhesive will form its own protective and containing coating by emersing the same in a cooling medium to solidify the outer surface of the same. The interior remains fluid because of the elevation in temperature and the severing operation will take place while the interior is fluid and the exterior coating while solidified is flexible such that it may be pinched off and sealed with cooling continued to a point where the individual pillows or segments are directed to a conveying apparatus where the segments are cooled and dried for permanent handling. The packaging of such materials permits processing the adhesive to a form where it forms its own package and in such a size that it may be readily handled and packaged loosely or in bulk form in shipping containers in accord with given weight requirements without exposing the molten adhesive to the working atmosphere of the processing plant or without requiring any intermediate steps or special packaging requirements.

While I have shown the improved method and apparatus applied to hot melt adhesives, it will be readily recognized that adhesives other than synthetic resins and similar material having the same characteristics and packaging problems may similarly be packaged.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for forming a material having normally solid characteristics and a high melt temperature into a readily packageable form comprising, conduit means connectable to a source of the material in liquid form at elevated temperatures sufficient to sustain the material in liquid form, means included in the conduit means to selectively control flow of the material in a continuous liquid stream having a substantially uniform dimension, a bath of cooling medium, guide structure means having a first end in liquid communication with said conduit means and positioned to receive cooling medium for guiding the continuous stream of material through the cooling medium so as to solidify only the outer surface of the material on exposure to the cooling medium, cutter means positioned adjacent a second end of said guide structure means for receiving the stream of material having a solidified outer surface and operative to sever the stream into discrete segments in which the extremities of the partially solidified segments are sealed after severing so as to encase the inner liquid portion of the stream and the sealed segments are passed into said bath of cooling medium for additional solidification, and conveyor means positioned in part in the bath of cooling medium and operative to transfer segments of the material from the bath of cooling medi- 2. The machine of claim 1 in which the stream forming means includes a pump means having an inlet connected to the conduit means and an outlet adapted to pump the material in liquid form at a predetermined pressure and rate of flow.

3. The machine of claim 2 in which the stream forming means includes a stream forming restriction connected to the outlet of the pump and positioned in the end of the conduit means to form the stream of material from the conduit means of substantially uniform dimension.

4. The machine of claim 1 and including valve means positioned in said conduit means to control the flow of material in liquid form therein.

5. The machine of claim 3 and including heat applying means positioned in heat conducting association with the pump means and stream forming restriction means to maintain the material in liquid form as it is pumped through the stream forming restriction means.

6. The machine of claim 1 in which the guide structure means is a trough positioned in' the bath of cooling medium to guide the stream of material therein.

7. The machine of claim 3 in which the stream forming restriction means is an orifice.

8. The machine of claim 1 in which the material is a hot melt adhesive and the bath of cooling medium is a container with cooling water therein and including a recirculation means with a cooling means associated therewith to maintain the cooling water at a predetermined temperature and circulating through the container.

9. The machine of claim 1 in which the severing means is a rotatable member driven from a motor and having a plurality of knife edges distributed over the peripheral surface of the same adapted to cooperate with a cushioning surface between which the stream of hot melt adhesive is directed to sever the segments.

10. The machine of claim 1 in which the cutter means is a pair of rotating drums driven from a motor at a predetermined speed, one of which drums has a plurality of cutting surfaces thereon adapted to receive therebetween the stream of hot melt adhesive with the surface solidified.

11. The machine of claim 1 in which the conveyor means includes in part a rotating wheel driven from a power source and adapted to receive segments of severed hot melt adhesive in tubular form and move the same through the bath of cooling medium.

12. The machine of claim 1 in which the conveyor means includes a plurality of spray means positioned above the bath of cooling medium and receiving cooling medium from the bath to circulate the cooling medium and the severed segments therein.

13. The machine of claim 1 and including a recirculating and temperature changing system connected to the bath of cooling medium and controlling temperature of the same.

14. The machine for forming a material of claim 1 in which the guide structure means is positioned adjacent the bath of cooling medium and in communication therewith and adapted to receive the continuous liquid stream from the conduit and transmit the same to the bath of cooling medium and in which a spray of cooling medium is directed on the liquid stream in the guide structure means.

15. The machine for forming a material of claim 1 in which the conduit means includes a plurality of valves each adapted tocontrol a separate liquid stream and in which the guide structure means includes a plurality of paths for receiving and directing the continuous liquid streams to the bath of cooling medium.

16. The machine for forming a material of claim 1 in which the bath of cooling medium includes a box-like structure connected to the guide structure means and housing the severing means with a box structure con nected to and receiving severed portions of the liquid stream and directing the same to the bath of cooling medium.

17. The machine for forming a material'of claim 1 in which the bath of cooling medium includes a plurality of tray-like structures positioned in vertical alignment and adapted to receive the cooling medium and the severed portions of the liquid stream as it is directed from one tray-like structure to a lower tray-like structure.

18. The machine for forming a material of claim 17 and including a paddle wheel positioned in the upper of the tray-like structures and adapted to move the severed segments and the cooling medium through the tray-like structures.

19. The machine for forming a material of claim 18 and including a recirculating means and a cooling means connected to the cutter box-like structure and the tray-like structures forrecireulating cooling medium through the tray-like structures.

20. The machine for forming a material of claim 19 in which the lowermost tray-like structure of the bath of cooling medium includes a sump portion in which is positioned said conveyor means adapted to elevate the segments of the material and remove them from the bath of cooling medium.

21. The machine of claim 20 and including additional conveyor means adapted to receive the segments from thefirst named conveyor means and dry and move said segments to a point ofpackaging.

22. The machine of claim 21 in which the second named-conveying means is a blower.

23. Apparatus, comprising:

a. means for containing a bath of cooling medium;

b. conduit' means for receiving a stream of liquid material from a source of such material;

0. means communicating with said conduit means and said bath of cooling medium for guiding the received material through a cooling zone of sufficient length to cause only the outer surface of said stream of liquid material to solidify, the inner material remaining in a liquid state;

d. means positioned for receiving the partially solidified stream of material from said guide means and operative to sever the stream of material into partially solidified segments and to simultaneously seal the extremities of said segments, said segments being discharged by said severing and sealing means into said bath of cooling medium for additional solidification; and

e. conveyor means at least partially positioned in said bath of cooling medium for removing said segments of material from said bath after the additional solidification.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said guide means is mounted within said means containing said bath of cooling medium and said cooling zone is defined by the cooling medium contained within said bath means.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 including means for directing a spray of the cooling medium onto said stream of liquid material within said guide means wherein said guide means is positioned adjacent said bath means in communication therewith so as to define said cooling zone on the outside of said bath means.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

a. said guide means is a trough-like structure having its open face upwardly directed;

b. said spray means is positioned above said guide means to direct a spray of the cooling medium onto said' stream .of liquid material within said trough-like guide means; and

c. said severing and sealing means is positioned at the extremity of said trough-like guide means adjacent said bath means and includes a box-like structure having a liquid inlet connected to said guide means and liquid outlet connected to said means containing said bath of cooling medium. 

1. A machine for forming a material having normally solid characteristics and a high melt temperature into a readily packageable form comprising, conduit means connectable to a source of the material in liquid form at elevated temperatures sufficient to sustain the material in liquid form, means included in the conduit means to selectively control flow of the material in a continuous liquid stream having a substantially uniform dimension, a bath of cooling medium, guide structure means having a first end in liquid communication with said conduit means and positioned to receive cooling medium for guiding the continuous stream of material through the cooling medium so as to solidify only the outer surface of the material on exposure to the cooling medium, cutter means positioned adjacent a second end of said guide structure means for receiving the stream of material having a solidified outer surface and operative to sever the stream into discrete segments in which the extremities of the partially solidified segments are sealed after severing so as to encase the inner liquid portion of the stream and the sealed segments are passed into said bath of cooling medium for additional solidification, and conveyor means positioned in part in the bath of cooling medium and operative to transfer segments of the material from the bath of cooling medium.
 2. The machine of claim 1 in which the stream forming means includes a pump means having an inlet connected to the conduit means and an outlet adapted to pump the material in liquid form at a predetermined pressure and rate of flow.
 3. The machine of claim 2 in which the stream forming means includes a stream forming restriction connected to the outlet of the pump and positioned in the end of the conduit means to form the stream of material from the conduit means of substantially uniform dimension.
 4. The machine of claim 1 and including valve means positioned in said conduit means to control the flow of material in liquid form therein.
 5. The machine of claim 3 and including heat applying means positioned in heat conducting association with the pump means and stream forming restriction means to maintain the material in liquid form as it is pumped through the stream forming restriction means.
 6. The machine of claim 1 in which the guide structure means is a trough positioned in the bath of cooling medium to guide the stream of material therein.
 7. The machine of claim 3 in which the stream forming restriction means is an orifice.
 8. The machine of claim 1 in which the material is a hot melt adhesive and the bath of cooling medium is a container with cooling water therein and including a recirculation means with a cooling means associated therewith to maintain the cooling water at a predetermined temperature and circulating through the container.
 9. The machine of claim 1 in which the severing means is a rotatable member driven from a motor and having a plurality of knife edges distributed over the peripheral surface of the same adapted to cooperate with a cushioning surface between which the stream of hot melt adhesive is directed to sever the segments.
 10. The machine of claim 1 in which the cutter means is a pair of rotating drums driven from a motor at a predetermined speed, one of which drums has a plurality of cutting surfaces thereon adapted to receive therebetween the stream of hot melt adhesive with the surfacE solidified.
 11. The machine of claim 1 in which the conveyor means includes in part a rotating wheel driven from a power source and adapted to receive segments of severed hot melt adhesive in tubular form and move the same through the bath of cooling medium.
 12. The machine of claim 1 in which the conveyor means includes a plurality of spray means positioned above the bath of cooling medium and receiving cooling medium from the bath to circulate the cooling medium and the severed segments therein.
 13. The machine of claim 1 and including a recirculating and temperature changing system connected to the bath of cooling medium and controlling temperature of the same.
 14. The machine for forming a material of claim 1 in which the guide structure means is positioned adjacent the bath of cooling medium and in communication therewith and adapted to receive the continuous liquid stream from the conduit and transmit the same to the bath of cooling medium and in which a spray of cooling medium is directed on the liquid stream in the guide structure means.
 15. The machine for forming a material of claim 1 in which the conduit means includes a plurality of valves each adapted to control a separate liquid stream and in which the guide structure means includes a plurality of paths for receiving and directing the continuous liquid streams to the bath of cooling medium.
 16. The machine for forming a material of claim 1 in which the bath of cooling medium includes a box-like structure connected to the guide structure means and housing the severing means with a box structure connected to and receiving severed portions of the liquid stream and directing the same to the bath of cooling medium.
 17. The machine for forming a material of claim 1 in which the bath of cooling medium includes a plurality of tray-like structures positioned in vertical alignment and adapted to receive the cooling medium and the severed portions of the liquid stream as it is directed from one tray-like structure to a lower tray-like structure.
 18. The machine for forming a material of claim 17 and including a paddle wheel positioned in the upper of the tray-like structures and adapted to move the severed segments and the cooling medium through the tray-like structures.
 19. The machine for forming a material of claim 18 and including a recirculating means and a cooling means connected to the cutter box-like structure and the tray-like structures for recirculating cooling medium through the tray-like structures.
 20. The machine for forming a material of claim 19 in which the lowermost tray-like structure of the bath of cooling medium includes a sump portion in which is positioned said conveyor means adapted to elevate the segments of the material and remove them from the bath of cooling medium.
 21. The machine of claim 20 and including additional conveyor means adapted to receive the segments from the first named conveyor means and dry and move said segments to a point of packaging.
 22. The machine of claim 21 in which the second named conveying means is a blower.
 23. Apparatus, comprising: a. means for containing a bath of cooling medium; b. conduit means for receiving a stream of liquid material from a source of such material; c. means communicating with said conduit means and said bath of cooling medium for guiding the received material through a cooling zone of sufficient length to cause only the outer surface of said stream of liquid material to solidify, the inner material remaining in a liquid state; d. means positioned for receiving the partially solidified stream of material from said guide means and operative to sever the stream of material into partially solidified segments and to simultaneously seal the extremities of said segments, said segments being discharged by said severing and sealing means into said bath of cooling medium for additional solidification; and e. conveyor means at least partially positioned in said bath of coolIng medium for removing said segments of material from said bath after the additional solidification.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said guide means is mounted within said means containing said bath of cooling medium and said cooling zone is defined by the cooling medium contained within said bath means.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23 including means for directing a spray of the cooling medium onto said stream of liquid material within said guide means wherein said guide means is positioned adjacent said bath means in communication therewith so as to define said cooling zone on the outside of said bath means.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein: a. said guide means is a trough-like structure having its open face upwardly directed; b. said spray means is positioned above said guide means to direct a spray of the cooling medium onto said stream of liquid material within said trough-like guide means; and c. said severing and sealing means is positioned at the extremity of said trough-like guide means adjacent said bath means and includes a box-like structure having a liquid inlet connected to said guide means and liquid outlet connected to said means containing said bath of cooling medium. 